Internal-combustion engine



C. T. PEIGLER. INTERNAL comausnou ENGlNE.

APPHCATION FILED OCT. 25, 1920.

Patented June 13, 1922.

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- [nrik 6. T. Peelgler (3.. T. PEIGLER'.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

.APP! lCATl0N FILED OCT. 25, 1920.

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-c. T PEIGLER. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APP! ICATION FILED OCT-2511920 I Patented June 13, 1922.

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llll APPJICATIGN l-' ,|LED Oct. 25, 1920 i M H 3 a C. T., PEIGLER.INTERNAL pomausnon ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 25, I920.

Patented J 11116 13, 1922. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICIE.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

T 0 all to 710m it may concern Be it known that I, COMMODORE T. PEIG-Lian, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Hill, in thecounty of York and State of South Carolina, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines; and I do here bydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable, others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to improvements in internal combustionengines, and more particularly refers to a motor of this character whichoperates 011 the two-cycle principle.

An object of the invention is to arrange the pump within thereciprocating piston so that its action may be automatic and by virtueof the inertia it acquires due to the movement of the piston by which itis carried; this construction being more compact and more positive inaction than where the pump is separate or where crank case compressionis employed.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the firing of thevarious cylinders composing the engine by transferring automaticallyfrom one cylinder to another in the proper sequence a portion of theignited fuel mass which may be timed by the use of valves as laterexplained.

A further object of the invention is to provide water or other coolingfluid spray devices in the cylinders of the engine which will benormally inactive but which are connected up with mechanism whereby acooling fluid may be injected into the cylinders whenever apredetermined temperature is reached.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be morefully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed outin the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or correspondingparts throughout the several views,-

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an internal combustion engine constructedin accordance with the present invention and having its head removed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the lines E22 in Fig. 1;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 13, 1922. Applicationfiled October 25, 1920.

Serial No. 419,344.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 also in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the engine showing more particularly themechanism for operating the fluid sprays;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View through one of the cylinders showing thethermal control device;

Fig. 6 is a detail partly in elevation and partly in section showing thepump and pump operating mechanism, and

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of Fig. 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein one embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated, 1 designates the motor block, 2 the crankcase, and 3 the head, all of which may be cast or otherwise produced ofany material appropriate for this purpose. In the motor block 1 areprovided cylinders 4 and 5 which bear to each other a V relation beingpreferably disposed on substantially the angle indicated in Fig. 3. Thecylinders as shown in plan in Fig. 1 may be six in number with threearranged at each side of themotor block and inclining clownwardly sothat the axes extend close to the crank shaft 6.

The cylinders, as will also be apparent from Fig. 1, are preferablyoffset slightly in order to allow of their disposition at the acuteangle shown in Fig. 3, and, at the same time, leave a suflicientstrengthening wall between the various cylinders. In the cylinders aremounted hollowspistons 7 having the usual packing rings 8 which expandagainst the wall of the cylinder and avoid leakage of compression. Thelower ends of the cylinders are interiorly screw threaded to receivecaps 9 to which wrist-pins 10 are connected whereby the connecting rods11 are coupled to the pistons. lhe caps 9 are provided with inwardlyprojecting heads 12 having perforations 13 to allow free communicationwith the crank case of the interior portion of the piston beneath thepump plunger 14 which reciprocates therein.

Packing rings 15 are also carried by the plunger 14 to prevent theescape of the fuel charge downwardly into the crank case. The pumpplunger 14 is provided with flanges 16 and 17 which fit respectivelyabout the head 12 and the depressed portion 18 of the top portion 19 ofthe piston. In this depressed portion .18 is provided an opening formedwith a seat for a reciprocating valve 20 having its stem 21 disposed ina bearing 22 in which it is free to reciprocate in an axial direction.

Spider arms 23 support the bearing 22 and are secured in any suitablemanner to the cylinder head 19 as by screws or other fastenings. Anintake port 24 is provided in the side wall of each cylinder be ing incommunication with an intake manifold in the usual manner from which acombustible charge is received for instance, from the usual carbureter.The intake ports 24 are located substantially intermediate the height ofthe cylinder and communicate, as shown in Fig.- 2, with ports 25 made inthe side walls of the pistons 7 near the heads 19. The ports 25 are madebetween the upper pair of piston rings 8 so that during the time thecharge is being received leakage in either direction will be avoided.Exhaust valves 26 are also provided, they being located in the upperportion of the block, as shown in Fig. 3, and oifset to the side of thecylinder.

The exhaust valves are actuated in any usual manner and by mechanismwhich it is not though necessary to show or describe; A single sparkplug 27 is shown as entering the head cylinder, and in accordance withthe invention, but a single sparking device will be sufficient inasmuchas ports 28 are provided between adjoining cylinders for the escape of aportion of the burned gases so that firing may be transferred from onecylinder to another in sequence. Automatically operating valves 29 areplaced in the ports 28 and are arranged to lift and open automaticallyunder the force of the expanding gases.

In the operation of the engine the pistons 7 reciprocate in the usualmanner and are coupled to drive the crank shaft 6. The

various pistons occupy relative positions substantially as shown inFigs. 2 and 3 and the plungers 14 being in the upper portions of thehollow pistons as the same begin their descent are caused to movedownwardly therewith until the piston reaches the lower limit of itstraveling, whereupon plungers 14: due to the inertia they have acquiredin descending together with the pistons will continue their downwardmovement. This downward movement will be rapid and will commencesubstantially at the time the intake ports 24: and 25 have been broughtinto registry, as indicated at the right hand portion of Fig. 2. Theplunger 14 consequently in its descent will create a suction drawing ina predetermined quantity of carbureted fuel.

Subsequently, as the piston rises, the valve 20 being automatically keptclosed such piston will compress and drive before it all of the burnedgases in the upper portion or" the cylinder and will expel the same outthrough the exhaust valve 26 which is open during this portion of thecycle of the engine. So soon, however, as the piston reaches the upperend of its travel the burned gases will be then sub- Stantiallyexhausted and the valve 26 brought to a closed position. The arrestii'igof the piston at the upper end of its stroke will allow the plunger 14therein to travel due to its momentum to the upper portion of saidpiston, and will thus act to automatically open the valve 20 and expelthe charge previously drawn into the hollow piston into the upperportion of the cylinder. In case or a head cylinder, the spark plug 27will then ignite the charge which will expand and drive the piston downwardly. When the piston is in the uppermost position it will. mask theport 28 and prevent any communication between adjacent cylinders.However, as soon as it has descended suiliciently to expose the port 28,the compressed and burning gases in the head cylinder, for instance,will travel through the port 28 lifting the valve 29 and escape into theadjacent cylinder which will at that instant be in condition for firinghaving just lately completed its upward stroke.

In like manner the third cylinder in sequence will be correspondinglyplaced in communication with the second cylinder, and will have itscharge ignited by the burn ing gases from the latter. This communication between the cylinders extends through out the engine so that all ofthe cylinders are fired in a predetermined sequence and only a singlesparking device is required. WVhen the engine is once started the headcylinder may be fired by the burned gases from the cylinder last inline, and the sparking device 27 may be discontinued in operation.

It will further be appreciated that the pump plunger 14 in its movementsback and forth within the hollow piston will be cushioned at the end oieach stroke by the entrapped fluid so that no injury will be done to thepiston or cylinder by reason of any impact between these two parts.

It will thus be ap n'eciaied that the improved engine will utilize butsmall current and will require but a simple and inexpensive battery, atthe same time doing away with the complicated distributing systems nowrequired.

It will further be noted that the combination of the piston and pumpsimplifies and makes more compact the construction of engines of thischaracter so as to enable their more extensive use for driving motorvehicles.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 an improvedcooling mechanism is provided for the motor which includes perforatedspray heads let in through the head 3 and projecting downwardly abovethe pistons so as to deliver a great quantity of jets of water or othercooling fluid to the explosion chamber. When an engine of the characterdescribed is employed one spray head 30 is provided for each cylinderand two service pipes 31 and 32 are provided for communication with thesource of water or other cooling fluid supply in order to serve thevarious nozzles. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3 the pipes 31 and32 connect with pumps 33. These pumps I prefer to form in the mannershown in Fig. 6 in which a. plunger 34 reciprocates through the pumpbarrel 33 and is carried by a stem 35 which projects upwardly andthrough a plug 36 threaded or otherwise removably screwed in the upperend of the barrel 33. A coil spring 37 is employed to hold the stem 35in an upper position and to return this stem and the plunger 34 to theupper position after each downward movement. The intake of the pump 33is under the control of a check valve 38 provided with the usual spring39 for keeping it closed against a seat 40. The spray head 30 ispreferably mounted on a cylinder 41 screw threaded or otherwiseremovably fitted in the lower end of the pump barrel 33. A check valve42 is normally held closed by a coil spring 43 against a seat providedin a diaphragm 44 situated close to the head 30. As the pump plunger 34rises it will suck in water or other cooling fluid through the valve 38and on its subsequent downward movement will close such valve 38 andexpel the water or other, fluid through the valve 42 and head 30.

Each pump is adapted to be actuated by an operating device shown also inFigs. 6 and 7 in which a pivotedstriker 45 carries a finger 46 arrangedto strike the upper end of the valve stem. 35 in order to depress theplunger 34. The finger 46 carries a cross pin 47 operating in a slot 48in the end of the striker 45. A coil spring 49 is disposed behind thefinger 46 and normally projects the same. The striker 45 is pivoted asindicated at 50 on an arm 51 upstanding from the central part of a lever52. This lever 52 is fulcrumed at'53 in a bracket 54 which is mountedupon the head 3 of the engine. A coil spring 55 is arranged between thestriker 45 and one arm of the lever 52 and functions to hold theopposite end of the striker 45 constantly in engagement with a cam 56 ona shaft 57 which extends lengthwise upon the head 3 of the engine. Theshaft 57 as shown in Fig; 2 is kept constantly rotating through a pairof beveled pinions 58 connecting such shaft with a vertical shaftAnother pair of beveled pinions 60 connect the vertical shaft with thecrank shaft 61.

A coil spring 62 is connected between the engine and the lever 52 andoperates to urge the lever to swing in a direction away from the pump.Lever 52 is also engaged by a cam 63 on a shaft 64 which also extendslengthwise of the engine and is journalled on the head 3 directlybeneath the shaft 57. The shaft 64 is provided with a crank portion 65receiving a slotted arm 66 on one end of a curved bar 67 shown moreparticularly in Fig. 4. This bar is adapted to vibrate back and forthand is actuated by a spring arm 6.9 connected to a yoke 70 whichembraces a cam 71 on the shaft 59. The resilient arm 69 will allow thevibration of the bar 67 inasmuch as such bar is adapted to be held atone or the other end of its movement by a pawl 72 which engages withoppositely disposed shoulders 73 and 74 pro vided by cutting away theintermediate portion of said bar 67. Pins 75 on the opposite side of thebar 67 are provided to engage lugs '76 on the engine in order to limitthe throw of the bar in opposite directions. The bar is connected at oneend to the bell crank lever 77 pivoted at 78 in a bracket 79 extendingfrom the head 3 of the engine. A link 80 joins the other end of the bellcrank lever 77 with an operating crank 81 extending from a butterflyvalve 82 situated in the intake pipe 83.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 5 the pawl 72 is mounted on a crankpin 84 carried by the end of a bar 85 which extends about within thecylinder head and is of such character and material that it is adaptedto contract and expand under the action of the heat developed in theengine. Staples 86 are employed to loosely hold the bar 85 in thecylinder head and as shown in Fig. 5 this bar preferably extends abouttwo-thirds of the distance about the cylinder head. The other end 87 ofthe bar is bent inwardly and over in order to be pivotally coupled to anarm 88 extending from a head 89 pivoted at 90. Set screws 91 and'92 areadapted to engage the head 89 at opposite sides of the pivot point 90 inorder to adjust the bar 85.

Of course there are as many pumps 33 as there are cylinders and as manyof the pump operating mechanisms the shafts 57 and 64 extendinglengthwise of the cylinder and being provided with a number of cams 56and 63 extending beneath all of the strikers 45 and levers 52respectively so that the pumps are actuated individually.

The action of the device is substantially as follows:

The cam shaft 57 turning continuously through its connection with theengine crank shaft will continuously oscillate the strikers 45 butinasmuchas these strikers are held by the action of the springs 55 and62 out of the path of the pump plunger stems 35 no action V of the pumpwill take place. At the same time the shaft 59 is continuously rotatingthe cam 71 is causing the vibration of the yoke 70. This action isabsorbed in the flexible spring 69 so as not to communicate any motionto the bar 67 which is held locked. in one position by the pawl 72. Thehead being below a predetermined temperature, the bar 85 in the cylinderhead is in a contracted condition insomuch as to keep the pawl 7 2 inengagement with the shoulder 73. The shaft 64: does not rotate until apredetermined degree of heat having been arrived at in the engine, thebar 85 becomes elongated and shifts the pawl 72 so as to disengage thebar 67 which is thereupon vibrated to the opposite end of its movement.This bar carries with it the slotted arm (36 and the crank portion ofthe shaft ("ll thus turning the cams (53 up beneath the levers 52. Thelevers are therefore rocked in a direction which will compress thesprings 62 and carry the striker arms over to a position where thefingers e6 are above the stems 35 of the shaft 57. This will cause thecams 56 to oscillate the strikers 45 and the pumps will therefore beimmediately put into operations. At each stroke of the pump a spray ofwater or other cooling fluid will be injected into the cylinder head 69and will be continued up until the temperature falls within the cylinderwhereupon the bar 85 will contract and again shift the pawl '72 out ofengagement with the bar 6'? which will permit it to return to aninitial. position. At the same time that water is being delivered to theengine the butterfly valve 82 will act to cut off completely the supplyof gas by reason of its connection with the bar and meantime the enginemay run by virtue of the steam or water vapor generated by the waterdelivered to the cylinders through the spray heads. This action of theengine under steam or water vapor pressure will continue until thetemperature falls sufficiently to permit the valve 82 to be subsequentlyopened, whereupon the operation by gas will be resumed.

I do not wish to be restricted to the size, form, and proportions of thevarious parts, and obviously changes could be made in the constructionherein described without departing from the spirit of the invention, itbeing only necessary that such changes fall within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, ahollow piston reciprocating therein, and a plunger built in the pistonand adapted to draw in a fuel charge at or near the lower position ofthe piston while expelling such charge above the piston when the latterreaches the upper limit of its travel, substantially as described.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine, the combination ofa cylin der, a hollow piston reciprocating therein, and a plungercontained in and traveling with said hollow piston for drawing in a fuelcharge in one position of the piston and for expelling and compressingsuch charge in the cylinder above the piston in a second position ofsaid piston, said plunger being freely movable in the piston and actingthrough inertia to move to opposite ends of the piston when the latterreverses its direction ofmovement, substantially as described.

3. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, ahollow piston reciprocating therein, and a plunger reciprocating withinthe hollow piston and adapted to be moved from one end to the other ofthe piston by the action of inertia at the end of each piston strokewhereby to draw in and expel successive charges of fuel, said hollowpiston providing an internal chamber to receive the charge,substantially as described.

4. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, ahollow piston reciprocating therein and adapted to receive a fuel chargewhen at its inward position, a weighted plunger movably mounted in thepiston and adapted to be shifted by its momentum when the piston arrivesat the limits of its movement, and valve means in the piston headadapted to automatically allow of the expulsion. of the charge into thecylinder, substantially as described.

In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a stationarycylinder, a hollow piston reciprocating therein, means whereby saidpiston may be placed in communication with a fuel supply at its innerposition, valve means in the head of the c linder adapted to allow ofthe escape of the fuel charge into the cylinder at the outer position ofthe piston, and a weighted inertia plunger fitted to reciprocate withinthe hollow piston for drawing in the charge and for expelling the same,said piston being actuated by momentum, substantially as described.

6. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a fixed motorblock and head combined together and provided with a plurality ofcylinders therein, chambered pistons reciprocating in said cylinders andconnected together, pump plungers built into the chambers of saidpistons for automatically sucking in a fuel charge when the pistons arein their inner positions and for eX- pelling such charges into thecylinders when the pistons reach their outer positions, and means forsuccessively firing such cylinders, substantially as described.

7. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed motorblock and head combined together and provided with a plurality ofcylinders, said cylinders being arranged in two series extendingparallel to each other and inclined toward one another, said cylindersbeing offset, hollow pistons reciprocating in said cylinders, pumpplungers movably mounted in said hollow pistons and adapted to draw incharges at the inner positions of the pistons and expel the charges atthe outer positions thereof, means for successively firing saidcylinders and check valves in the piston heads, substantially asdecribed.

8. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a plurality ofcylinders, hollow pistons therein provided with automatically openingvalves in their heads and with ports in their side walls adapted toreceive charges of fuel, weighted plungers mounted to reciprocate withinsaid hollow pistons and adapted to be driven backwards and forwards bythe momentum acquired through the movement of the piston, means forigniting the charge expelled by the plungers through said valves andinto the cylinders, and means for permitting a portion of the burninggases to escape from one cylinder into the next cylinder in sequence,substantially as described.

9. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a motor blockand a head combined together and provided with two series of cylindersbeing offset and inclined toward one another in substantial V relation,hollow pistons reciprocating in said cylinders and provided with valvesin their heads and with ports in their side walls, means whereby saidports may receive a charge of fuel, flanged plungers disposed toreciprocate within said hollow pistons, means for igniting the fuelcharge in the head cylinder, and valved passages placed between saidcylinders adapted to be masked when the pistons are in the outermostpositions but to be uncovered when the pistons descend to permit theburning gases to escape into subsequent cylinders, substantially asdescribed.

10. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a motor blockand a head combined together and provided with two series of cylindersarranged in V formation and being disposed at an acute angle, saidcylinders being disposed offset with respect to each other, hollowpistons reciprocating in said cylinders, valves in the upper portions ofthe pistons adapted to automatically open due to pressure from within, apump in the piston carried thereby and adapted to draw in a charge andexpel it through such valve, and means for firing the various cylindersin sequence, substantially as described.

COMMODORE THOMAS PEIGLER.

